Signaling system



Sept. 18, 1951 Filed June 9, 1950 E. VROOM SIGNALING SYSTEM 7-2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvsmm E. VROOM mama ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 E. VROOM 2,568,177

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 9, 1950 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l T T g: :5 H n i E; H F I a I III H H //v VEN TOR E. VROOM A TTOPNEV FIG. 3

Patented Sept. 18, 1951 SIGNALING SYSTEM Edward Vroom, Ossining, N. Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 9, 1950, Serial No. 167,224

This invention relates to a signaling syste and more particularly to a system for scannin and transmittin stored information.

An object of this invention is the accurate transmission of signals at a high rate of speed.

Another object of this invention is the rapid scanning of a series of digit registers to ascertain and transmit the data stored in those registers.

In general, a, system arranged in accordance with the invention utilizes cold cathode gaseous discharge devices each having a plurality of cathodes. The tubes are arranged to operate in response to pulses applied thereto to advance the conductive path therein step by step from cathode to cathode. The output paths of certain of the cathodes in each tube are connected to individual digit registers whereby those registers are scanned as each tube steps through its cycle. Means are provided successively to render the stepping tubes operative toprovide a successive scanning of the several digit registers.

The invention may be more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1. is an elevational view of a multicathode glow discharge device illustrative of one type of tube suitable for use in the present system;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along 22 of Fig. illustrating the arrangement of the several cathodes and the cooperative relation thereof with the anode, a portion of the anode being broken away to show certain of the cathodes more clearly; and

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram representing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The multicathode stepping tubes which are employed in the present system may be of any suitable type. A tube operable in a suitable manner is disclosed, for example, in the United States patent application of W. A. Townsend, Serial No. 101,322, filed June 25, 1949, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A representation of that tube is presented in Figs. 1 and 2 of the present disclosure.

In general the disclosed gaseous discharge device comprises ananode and a, plurality of cold cathodes in cooperative relationship with the anode, the cathodes being mounted in a row which may be rectilinear, circular or of other geometrical form. The cathodes,'or certain of them, are electrically grouped and are so constructed and arranged that the discharge be- 14 Claims. (01. 177-380) 2 or shifted selectively to a path between the anode I and another cathode in response to signal pulses,

the discharge shifting or advancing one position for each pulse.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the tube of the exemplary ype comprises a .plurality of cathodes H, hereinafter referred to as A cathodes, and a second plurality of cathodes l2, hereinafter designated as "B cathodes, all of the cathodes bein mounted in a circular array with each A cathode ll between two B cathodes l2. The main anode I 3 may be and is shown to be ring-shaped, and is supported in spaced relation with the A and B cathodes. An auxiliary, start, reset or normalizing" electrode II is also provided.

In one method of operating the stepping tube. a suitable positive potential is supplied to the main anode l3 and a potential negative with respect to the main anode potential is applied to the auxiliary electrode it which, therefore, serves as a start cathode. A discharge will occur between these two electrodes. If a negative pulse then be applied to the B cathodes ii, the discharge will transfer initially so as to exist between the main anode and the first one of the B cathodes I2. This first B cathode is designated B1 in Fig. 2.- At the cessation of the pulse, the discharge will transfer so as to exist between the main anode and the first one of the A cathodes II, which is supplied with a suitable voltage through an impedance. This first A cathode is designated As in Fig. 2. In a similar manner, successive pulses applied to the B cathodes l2 will cause the conduction to transfer so as to exist between the main anode l3 and the successive A cathodes Ii, in a counter-clockwise direction in the structure as shown in Fig. 2. The directivity of the stepping is accomplished by the construction of the cathodes, in the manner fully set forth in the above-cited patent application or in any other suitable manner.

As the conductive path progresses step by step from position to position in the tube, the conduction is limited to one path at a time. When the conductive path is transferred to a B cathode, the conduction between the main anode and the previous A cathode II is extinguished. This may be accomplished by utilizing a suitable impedance in series with the main anode of the device whereby the increased voltage drop across this impedance, resulting from the transfer of conduction to a B cathode I2, is suificient to tween one cathode and theanode may be stepped cause the voltage between the main anode l3 and the A cathode II to fall below the sustainin value.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a plurality of settable digit registers 20 to 29 are provided. Only three such registers have been shown, but any number thereof may be employed. Each digit register has been shown as comprising five relays Dii-Dl, Ell-El, Nfl-Nl whereby any digit may be recorded in any of the registers on the conventional two-out-of-flve code basis. The manner in which the information is supplied to the digit registers has not been shown inasmuch as this may be accomplished in any of a variety of ways such as by keys, counting chains. pulsing relays, etc.

Individual to each of the digit registers 20 to II is a multicathode stepping tube 30 to 39. As aforesaid, these tubes may be of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which event the A cathodes Ii in Figs. 1 and 2 are labeled As, A0, Ar, Ar, A4, A1, An and Ac in tube 30 of Fig. 3, the B cathodes I2 in Figs. 1 and 2 are labeled 31-38 in tube 30 of Fig. 3, the anode l3 in Figs. 1 and 2 is labeled 40 in tube 30 of Fig. 3, and the starter or normalizing electrode It in Fig. 2 islabeled ll in tube 30 of Fig. 3.

The circuit of Fig. 3 may be placed in operation by the closure of key SW. Upon the operation of key SW, positive battery, which may supply, for example, 130 volts, will be connected to conductor ll, resistor 45 and to the anode 40 of tube II. Similarly, this positive voltage is supplied via conductor ll and through other individual resistors to the anodes of the other multicathode stepping tubes 3| to 39. The operation of key SW also operates relay ST over an obvious circuit.

Prior to the operation of relay ST, the lower electrode of capacitator I6 is connected to ground and the upper electrode of capacitor 46 is connected to negative battery, which may supply, for example, 130 volts, through resistor 41 and a back contact of relay ST. Upon the operation of relay ST, the upper electrode of capacitor 46 is connected via conductor 18 to the start electrode ll of steppingtube 30 and through resistor 49 to negative battery which may supply, for example, 50 volts. Therefore, upon the operation of relay ST, capacitor 46 is discharged to cause a negative pulse to be applied to the start electrode ll of the first stepping tube 30.

With a suitable positive potential applied to the anode ll, the application of a pulse of suitable amplitude and polarity to the start electrode II will cause tube 30 to undergo a discharge between these two electrodes. After the pulse subsides, conduction continues across this gap through resistor I! and to negative battery.

The B cathodes in the several steppingtubes are all multiplied via conductor 50 to a negative pulse generator Generator 5|, which may be of any suitable type, is arranged, in the preferred embodiment of the invention. continuously to supp y negative pulses of suitable amplitude. It may be noted that the stepping tubes constructed in accordance with the representations of Figs.

1 and 2 will operate properly with generator 5| supplying pulses at a rate up to and exceeding 1500 pulses per second.

After a discharge has been initiated between the start electrode 4| and the anode 40 of tube ll as above described, the first pulse applied by generator 5| to lead 50 will appear at all of the B cathodes including the first B cathod B1 of tube 30. The discharge in tube 30 will then transfer so as to exist between the anode 40 and the 7 cathode Bl. At the termination of this pulse. the discharge will again transfer so as to exist between the anode 40 and the first A cathode As which is connected to negative battery 54 through an individual resistor 52. At the next pulse, the conduction in tube again transfers so as to exist between the anode and the next B cathode B: and at the termination of that pulse, the discharge will again transfer so as to' exist between the anode 40 and to the next A cathode Ac, which is supplied with negative battery through resistor 53. The tube continues to step in this fashion. As hereinbefore noted. when a pulse is applied to the B cathodes to cause conduction to exist between the anode 40 and the B cathode which is adjacent (in the stepping direction) the then conducting A cathode, the conductive path between the anode 4!! and the previously conducting A cathode is extinguished due to the increased voltage drop across the anode impedance 45.

All of the A cathodes are connected to negative battery 54 through individual resistors. when the conductive path in the stepping tube includes any one of those A cathodes, the voltage at that cathode will rise due to the potential drop across its individual resistor. This rise in cathode potential is utilized to transmit start" and "end" signals and to sense the state of the digit registers. Thus, the first A cathode As is connected to the output conductor 55 through a capacitor 56 whereby when the conductive path in tube is includes cathode As, a sta pulse will be transmitted over conductor 55.

Each of the intermediate A cathodes A0 to A! is connected through an individual capacitor to the front contact of one of the relays in digit register 20. With a digit having been recorded in that register, two of the flve relays Do to D1 will be operated. As a result, when the conductive path in the stepping tube so includes an A cathode which is associated with an operated one of the digit-register relays Do to D1, a pulse will be transmitted through the closed relay contacts to output conductor 55. Therefore, pulses will be transmitted over conductor 55 on a time basis, the temporal relation between the two pulses and the start pulse being indicative of the digit recorded in the first digit register 20.

When the conductive path in tube 30 includes cathode As. a pulse is transmitted through capacitor 51 to output conductor 55 and this pulse is indicative of the end or termination of the transmission of the representation of the first digit.

Cathode A0 of tube 30 is coupled to the start electrode 43 of the second stepping tube Si by capacitor 58 and transformer 58, the center tap of which is grounded. When the conductive path in tube 10 is stepped to B cathode Be and then to the last A cathode Ac, tube 30 will have eflectively completed its cycle. The resulting rise in potential of cathode Ac will cause capacitor 58' to apply a pulse to transformer 59 whereby a negative pulse will be applied to the start electrode 43 to initiate a discharge in tube 3|.

In the manner above described in relation to tube It, the conductive path in tube 3| will then successively move step by step from position to position to sense the state of the second digit register 2!, applying pulses indicative of the state of that digit register to the output conductor 55. In a similar manner, the several stepping tubes successively scan the-other provided digit registers.

to the winding of the recording head it of a magnetic recorder whereby the information recorded in the digit registers 20 to 29 may be stored.

If desired, the present system may be employed always to transmit preset intelligence. This may be accomplished by maintaining two of the five relays in each register operated, or by directly connecting the outputs of the selected two A cathodes in each stepping tube to the output conductor 55, thereby dispensing with the digit .registers. The system, as so arranged, may then be employed, for example, to cause a telephone subscribers station or a mobile radio station to transmit its own code designation for identification or verification purposes.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are but illustrative of the application 01' the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a plurality of distinct conduction positions and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step from position to position, output means responsive to conduction in each of said devices when the conductive path in each of said devices is in selected ones of the distinct conduction positions, and means rendering said devices successively conducting.

2. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a plurality of distinct conduction positions and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step from position to position, output means, and means for connecting the conductive path in each of said devices to said output means when the said conductive path in each of said devices is in selected ones of its distinct conduction positions.

3. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a plurality of distinct conduction positions and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step from position to position, output means, means for connecting the conductive path in each of said devices to said output means when the said conductive path in each 01' said devices is in selected ones of its distinct conduction positions, and means rendering said devices successively conducting.

4. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a plurality of distinct conduction positions and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step from position to posiiton, output means, means for connecting the conductive path in each oi. said devices to said out- 6 putmeans when the said conductive path in each of said devices is in selectedones of its distinct conduction positions, and means coupling the last of the conductive positions in each or said devices to the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are successively rendered conductive. i

5. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, means for connecting said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in each of said devices, and means rendering said devices successively conducting.

6. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, means for connecting said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in each of said devices, and means coupling one of said other electrodes in each of said devices to the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are rendered successively conductive.

7. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode, a second electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, and means coupling one of said other electrodes in each of said devices to the said second electrode in the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are rendered successively conductive.

8. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path existsbetween said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, and a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register.

' 9. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones or said other electrodes, output means, a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means rendering said devices successively conducting.

10. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a pluseesaw rality of gaseous conduction devices each havin a first electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means coupling one of said other electrodes in each of said devices to the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are r'endered successively conductive.

11. In a signaling system, a pulse source, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having a first electrode, a second electrode and a plurality of other electrodes and each responsive to pulses transmitted from said pulse source to advance the conductive path therethrough step by step so that said path exists between said first electrode and successive ones of said other electrodes, output means, a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said other electrodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means coupling one of said other electrodes in each of said devices to the said second electrode in the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are rendered successively conductive.

12. In a signaling system, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having an anode, a first plurality of cathodes and a second plurality of cathodes, a pulse source connected to said first plurality of cathodes in each of said devices, each of said devices being responsive to pulses applied to said first plurality of cathodes therein by said pulse source to advance the conductive path therein step by step so that said path exists between said anode and successive ones of said second plurality of cathodes, output means, a

digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said second plurality of cathodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means rendering said devices successively conducting.

13. In a signaling system, a plurality of gaseous conduction devices each having an anode, a first plurality of cathodes, a second plurality of cathodes and a start electrode. means for applying a discharge initiating potential ,to' the start electrode of the first one of said devices, a pulse source connected to said first plurality oi cathodes in each of said'devices, each of said devices being responsive to pulses applied to said first plurality of cathodes therein byv said pulse source to advance the conductive path therein step by step so that said path exists between said anode and successive ones of said second plurality oi cathodes, output means, a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones 0! said second plurality of cathodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means coupling one of said second plurality of cathodes in each of devices to the starter electrode in the next succeeding ones of said deviceswhereby said devices are rendering successively conductive.

14. In a signaling system, a plurality oi gaseous conduction devices each having an anode, a first plurality of cathodes, a second plurality of cathodes and a start electrode, means for applying a discharge initiating potential to the start electrode of the first one of said devices, a pulse source connected to said first plurality of cathodes in each of said devices, each of said devices being responsive to pulses applied to said first plurality of cathodes therein by said pulse source to advance the conductive path therein step by step so that said path exists between said anode and successive ones of said second plurality of cathodes, output means, a digit register individual to each of said devices and operative to connect said output means to selected ones of said second plurality of cathodes in the associated one of said devices in accordance with the digit registered in said digit register, and means including a capacitor and a transformer coupling one of said second plurality of cathodes in each of devices to the starter electrode in the next succeeding ones of said devices whereby said devices are rendering successively conductive. EDWARD VROOM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,165,892 Green et al. July 11,1939 2,381,920 Miller Aug. 14, 1945 

